Less Of Me, More Of Him

Diva Dobhal, Australia

Today, we will be looking at this very well-known but often arduous and overlooked idea of ‘more of him and less of me’. In a society that constantly advocates loving ourselves first and foremost and above all else and total self-gratification, I have found this to be a real struggle. And so, I decided to study out the response of the one person we can count on to personify humility and absolute surrender, even though they had EVERY right to and all the power in the world to seek glory for themself – Jesus.

Matthew 26

devotional

This had to have been one of the hardest moments of Jesus’ life on earth. The last supper. Knowing that Judas was about to betray Him. Knowing that His closest friends would desert Him in His time of need. Needing to pray because He was overwhelmed with emotion. Coming back to His disciples sleeping because they couldn’t stay awake. And the beginning of His journey to the cross with countless false accusations.

When I read this passage, I stand in awe of Jesus’ response every step of the way. Not responding with emotion but with the truth and demonstrating peace and tranquillity despite being sorrowful and troubled to the point of death (vs 37 & 38). He had every right to feel anxious and fearful and be distressed and feel wronged by those who were going to disown Him. But instead, He acted in accordance to God’s will, took his burdens to God and prayed for not his own but God’s will to be done (vs 39 & 42).

Reading this passage helped me reflect on who is at the front of these areas of my life and who I draw strength from – God or myself?

In evangelism; reminding myself it is God speaking through me and leading me to people In determining plans for my future; it is God who knows what is best and the desires of my heart

In my relationships; God is love and Jesus came to serve, not to be served – is that how I treat people?

With my joy; unrelated to feelings or emotions but it comes from God (Psalms 16:11)

With my career and education; am I glorifying God by working hard and being diligent?

With thanksgiving; do I praise God in every good thing and accredit all success to him?

When I feel wronged; trusting in God who judges justly and being at peace and not retaliating or holding grudges.

reflection questions

• Do others see Christ’s humility and absolute surrender depicted through me?

• Do I make everything about me? What would it look like for me personally to have more of Christ and less of me? Is there something I can fast on and deny myself of, to recalibrate and draw from God’s strength and to rely on scriptures instead?

• Is my reaction to people when I’m hurt based on God’s word and the Holy spirit within me or is it my emotion and my pride? Do I pray for God’s will to be done in ALL situations, especially the painful ones and do I keep praying till I am completely surrendered?

• Do I try to seek man’s approval? Do I desire to be lifted-up by mere humans rather than God?

challenge

Memory scripture:

"In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!" – Philippians 2:5-8

scriptures

Luke 9:23-24

1 Peter 5:6

John 3: 30

1 John 4:16

1 Peter 2:21, 23

Psalms 139:23-24